Automatic feeder-loader for cut sheet paper

Abstract

A sheet item reloader-feeder wherein a pivoted item receiving tray is arcuately-angularly movable from a load position in which the tray is empty to a feed position in which the tray is full. A coiled spring biases the item tray vertically to bring the top most sheet item into the nip of a feeding device. A cable connected to the tray is interconnected to an over-center spring biased cam and an external tray handle whereby movement of the handle causes the tray to automatically move against the tension of the biasing spring from the empty position to the loaded position bring the top most sheet item into the nip of the feeding device for automatic feeding. Two such reloader-feeder devices are stacked in vertical offset relation to one another permitting operator reloading during feeding without stopping the operation of the apparatus.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Automatic feeder-loader apparatus for cut sheet items comprising: a sheet item tray pivotally movable from a load position in which said tray is normally empty to a feed position in which said tray is full and wherein the top most sheet item is positioned at the nip of a feeding device;   biasing means in contact with said tray for biasing said tray upwardly from the load to the feed position;   over-center means coupled to said item tray movable between two stable semi-fixed positions and including means biasing said over center means into one or the other of said fixed positions; and   an operably movable handle interengaging and coupling said tray and said over center means alternatively for blocking access to said tray when in said feed position and for unblocking access to said tray when in said load position.   
     
     
       2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said over-center means further comprises a cam and spring arranged relative to each other to provide two opposite semi-fixed stable positions for said item tray. 
     
     
       3. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said coupling means further comprises an elongated cable interconnecting said over-center means and said tray and means for changing direction of said cable. 
     
     
       4. The invention in accordance with claim 3 wherein said direction changing means includes two substantially orthogonally arranged members over which said cable is moved from said over-center means to said item tray for converting vertical to horizontal motion. 
     
     
       5. The invention in accordance with claim 2 wherein said cam comprises a fan shaped member the outer periphery of which is castellated and grooved to receive a cable and including attachment means for said cable and wherein said means for moving said tray includes a pivoted handle one end of which engages said cam. 
     
     
       6. The invention in accordance with claim 5 further including biasing means engaging said cam and said pivoted handle for applying suitable tension to said cable to prevent cable slack. 
     
     
       7. The invention in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a second automatic feeder-loader stacked vertically above a first automatic feeder loader and horizontally offset from said first feeder loader a sufficient distance to avoid interference therewith including switch control means for selectively energizing first one and then the other feeder as the item tray is emptied and filled.